Overview
HYUNDAI has formally launched its quickest, and dearest mannequin ever into Australian dealerships this month. The Ioniq 5 N – a excessive efficiency model of the common Ioniq 5 – is now obtainable priced from $111,000 plus on-road prices, a $27K hike over the spinoff mannequin.
Headlining the announcement is the Ioniq 5 N’s powerplant, which, just like the associated Kia EV6 GT, includes twin electrical motors outputting 448kW and 740Nm in Regular mode and 478kW and 770Nm in N Grin Enhance configuration.
The latter will rocket the Ioniq 5 N from scratch to 100km/h in simply 3.4 seconds on its solution to a v-max of 260km/h.
Electrons are contained in a high-density 84kWh battery pack to supply as a lot as 448km driving vary (WLTP).
In making certain the 2230kg hatch maintains contact with the black-top, Hyundai has geared up the Ioniq 5 N with three-mode adaptive shock absorbers, a rear-axle eLSD, grade-specific EPAS tuning, upgraded battery and brake coolers, a bigger e-motor oil cooler, and a stiffened physique.
That physique is 80mm longer, 50mm wider and 20mm longer than the mannequin on which the Ioniq 5 N is predicated, the sporty EV driving on model-specific solid 21-inch alloys and halted by 400mm entrance / 360mm discs. Hyundai quotes a stopping distance of 40.2m from 100km/h and says 0.6G of deceleration might be offered from the regenerative braking system alone.
Different digital trickery consists of switchable N e-Shift software program which simulates the feeling of an automated transmission on up and down shifts, N Energetic Sound+ to emit a trio of synthesised motor noises, 11-stage front-to-rear N Torque Distribution, N Launch Management, N Drift Optimiser, Torque Drift Kick, and N Highway Sense, the latter prompting drivers to activate N Mode on winding roads.
For the monitor, extra wizardry consists of Dash and Endurance settings, and a Drag mode which optimises the battery for shorter bursts of acceleration.
All are accessed through N particular drive modes on the Ioniq 5 N’s expansive infotainment / instrumentation screens.
As is the case in different Hyundai fashions, HMCA has labored on making certain the Ioniq 5 N’s journey and dealing with stability is as at dwelling on native roads as it’s on the racetrack.
The workforce labored carefully with colleagues in Europe, South Korea, and america to make sure the calibration of the association works at dwelling, with modifications made to Regular and Sport modes.
Contained in the cabin, the Ioniq 5 N gives model-specific entrance seats that sit 19mm decrease than the common mannequin, function guide adjustment by the conventional ranges, and are geared up with heating and air flow. The upholstery is a mix of leather-based and Alcantara suede, each in black.
The centre console is exclusive to the variant and options thigh helps for driver and passenger. The pedals are completed in brushed steel, as are the sill covers. As is de rigueur for different N vehicles, the cabin additionally options prospers of Efficiency Blue garnishing.
On the skin, we discover the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N provided in a selection of six gloss and 4 matte finishes. Gloss hues embody Abyss Black, Atlas White, Cyber Gray Metallic, Ecotronic Gray, Efficiency Blue, and Soultronic Orange, whereas matte shades embody Atlas White, Ecotronic Gray, Gravity Gold, and Efficiency Blue. Matte paint attracts a $1000 value premium.
The one different remaining choice for the Ioniq 5 N is a panoramic ‘Imaginative and prescient Roof’ priced at $2000.
Driving Impressions
Contemplating the comparatively quick time through which electrical automobiles have been obtainable to the mass market, it’s stunning how many people have shaped an opinion on their price – for higher or worse.
The divide appears to go one thing like: “I actually love them and would think about shopping for one” to “I would get one when the vary and charging infrastructure improves”, or “Not over my lifeless physique”.
It’s an enchanting trichotomy that reveals maybe the immaturity of the electrical automobile market, and maybe that of the Aussie shopping for public.
However, and for probably the most half, these of us who’ve pushed EVs week-in and week-out for a residing must say we agree with the latter two camps. EVs are costly, time-consuming to recharge, dynamically inept, and notoriously heavy.
Spoiler alert: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is all however three of these issues.
Taking a look at most so-called efficiency EVs we sometimes discover a automotive that could be a one-trick pony: Quick in a straight line, however sluggish to show and even slower to cease. Sure, they’ll redefine most individuals’s definition of ‘fast’, however for many of us who take pleasure in our driving, the reply to that declare is an enthusiastic ‘so what’.
As Hyundai rightly identified in creating the Ioniq 5 N, a lot of what we take pleasure in about efficiency driving is the sensation it returns. The grins-per-mile issue is one thing many in ‘EV land’ have didn’t ship upon, miserably, leaving most EVs feeling like little wanting a transport equipment.
Like different N fashions you possibly can dial up or down the extent of aggression provided from nearly each element – together with the ‘exhaust’ noise, which sounds remarkably like an i30 N. It helps immediate braking and turn-in factors and works with the regenerative braking system to offer ‘transmission braking’ as you method nook entry.
Additional, with that skill to ‘shift’ like a dual-clutch transmission constructed proper into the driveline, the Ioniq 5 N feels remarkably acquainted, and is much simpler to adapt to than these with only one, lengthy, linear line of torque.
Based on HMC govt technical director Albert Biermann, the Ioniq 5 N was additionally designed with monitor use in thoughts. It was constructed across the premise that it ought to be able to driving laborious for 20 minutes, then charged for 20 minutes, and so forth. It’s a super receipt for club-level monitor days – which we’d add are nonetheless lined by Hyundai’s manufacturing facility guarantee.
On monitor – and some choose winding roads north of Sydney – it’s evident that for all its dynamic trickery, the Ioniq 5 N continues to be a heavy beast. That’s to not say, nonetheless, that it’s cumbersome or awkward, simply that there comes a restrict to how far you possibly can push; even when that restrict is much later than you may anticipate.
For what’s an basically all-by-wire automobile, the suggestions is sort of pure. The steering offers you a way of load as you push by corners, whereas the braking is metered and robust. Path the brakes right into a nook and intention the nostril the place you wish to go and it’s so simple as feeding on the throttle – and hanging on.
The Ioniq 5 N rushes from the nook with urgency and is playful in exhibiting a bit of ‘slip angle’. Shift the drive rearward, and the again tyres will flip to smoke in a heartbeat. Go away the system stage, and it pulls strongly on the horizon, quickly hauling from 80km/h to 180km/h and past in what looks like the blink of an eye fixed.
Our dozen-or-so of laps of Sydney Motorsport Park confirmed simply how simply the Ioniq 5 is to pilot quick, helped in no small half by a revised seating place and conveniently positioned leg bolsters. Imagine us, you’re going to make use of them, as there are some large g-force numbers generated.
For a giant, SUV-proportioned ‘hatch’ that gives a lot of the enjoyment we’ve come to like from our ICE-powered favourites, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N enters as a playful, driveable, and wholly pleasurable various to the more-clinical EV pack.
A succesful performer with an addictive stage of interplay it’s a automotive that grows on you as quick because it accelerates, and one that’s positive to vary the minds of welded-on ICE automotive devotees and straight-line electron burners alike.
Personally, I’m about as transformed as I’ve ever been. And from somebody who campaigns a light-weight monitor toy, I feel that claims a lot.
Extra like this, please, Hyundai!
